Vacuum base removal-kenmore whispertone 300

even if you get it apart chances are it needs a new spring but it requires a special tool to get the rubber molding off that separates the top from bottom and sears repair guys and vacuum shops have them. I would take it to a used vac store and get them to fix it before you try yo remove the rubber seal as it will not go back on well and that will cause the machine to not get aproper seal and lose airflow.

Hi There,

Here's a link to a repair that I've already posted on Fixya on how to replace the belt on your Kenmore Whispertone. This should help you out greatly. If it doesn't and you still have questions, please feel free to use the Clarification Request form here on Fixya.com, and ask further questions. I'd be happy to do some further advanced diagnosing with you.

Thanks,
http://www.fixya.com/support/t4499227-need_replace_belt_in_kenmore_vacuum

Chris Jones
GoVacuum.com

If you push inwards on each side of the light cover on top you can remove it. With the light cover removed remove the (2) access screws. Now you will be able lift of the entire top cover from the base. You will then see the belt and roller brush, remove the old belt and replace with a new one. You can get the replacement belt you need here:

Kenmore Whispertone Replacement Belt

• The motor / cord compartment cover must be removed to access the cord reel. There are four screws that hold the cover to the chassis. Two of the screws are found under the cord-retractor-foot-pedal on the top back of the canister. To access these screws the pedal must be removed. To do this, press the pedal down and look (from the top) for the four plastic clips that attach/hold the pedal hinges to the cover. There are two at the end corners and two in the middle. Using a long, thin flat-head screw driver (or similar instrument) press each clip to unhook/popout the hinges. Note: the foot pedal spring will also come out when the pedal is removed.
  
  The other two screws are found under the curved hinges of the vaccum bag compartment cover. To access these, lift the cover as if accessing the vacuum bag. Keep pulling the cover back until the hinges release from the motor cover. Don't worry, it is disigned to do this and will not break but it may require a little force. A long phillip-head screw driver will be needed to access and remove each screw

The motor / cord compartment cover must be removed to access the cord reel. There are four screws that hold the cover to the chassis. Two of the screws are found under the cord-retractor-foot-pedal on the top back of the canister. To access these screws the pedal must be removed. To do this, press the pedal down and look (from the top) for the four plastic clips that attach/hold the pedal hinges to the cover. There are two at the end corners and two in the middle. Using a long, thin flat-head screw driver (or similar instrument) press each clip to unhook/popout the hinges. Note: the foot pedal spring will also come out when the pedal is removed.

The other two screws are found under the curved hinges of the vaccum bag compartment cover. To access these, lift the cover as if accessing the vacuum bag. Keep pulling the cover back until the hinges release from the motor cover. Don't worry, it is disigned to do this and will not break but it may require a little force. A long phillip-head screw driver will be needed to access and remove each screw. Good luck. - Gary

I have a whispertone vacuum, different model #, but maybe instructions will be the same. Turns out I didn't need a new belt, just clean out the crud and reset overload protector. The instructions in the manual tell you to remove the light cover and bulb first. To do this, press in and lift both sides. Push in and turn bulb counterclockwise to remove. (you need to do this because the next step involves turning the unit over). This takes you to
Step 2. Unscrew the cover screws ( on either side of bulb).
Step 3. Turn unit over. To remove cover, insert screwdriver at cover tabs on both sides and twist to release tabs.
Step. 4 Turn unit right side up. Press handle release pedal and lower the swivel. Tilt cover forward from back until front snaps free.
Step 5. Carefully insert and twist screwdriver at each brush support to free brush from base.
Step 6. Remove worn belt.
Step 7. Slide brush supports off to check and clean brush support areas.

To replace belt: slide washers and brush supports onto brush assembly.
Install new belt over motor drive, then over brush sprocket.
Snap brush supports into place on base. Be sure brush supports are not upside down.
Line up front of cover and base. Rest cover on front edge of base. Tilt cover to back. Press cover firmly until side tabs snap into place. Replace cover screws, light bulb and light cover.

I just encountered the same problem on a Whispertone 116 last evening. If it is the construction same as mine, there are four flexible plastic retainers molded into the top cover in the gap between the pedal and the motor cover. These are on the hinged side of the pedal. All four retainers must be bent in toward the interior of the vacuum simultaneously to release the pedal. A screwdriver does not work very well for this. What worked for me were four metal bars about 3/8" wide X 1/8" thick X 1-1/2" long. The pieces I used were actually the snap-off ends of some hanging file rails I found in my basement. Insert the four bars at the four retainers. They should fit snugly as they must push the retainers past the hinged portion of the pedal. To remove the pedal, rotate the pedal up in the same direction as the spring is pushing and it should come free from the motor compartment cover at which point you can access the other two screws. I suspect Sears has a special tool with four tabs to perform this trick in the repair center. Good luck!

HELLO, JUST REPLACED THE BELT ON OUR'S. FIRST TAKE LITE LENSE OFF THERE WILL BE 2 SCREWS, REMOVE. THEN FLIP OVER POWER MITEON EACH SIDE PRY WITH 2 SCREW DRIVERS WHERE THE ARROWS ARE TO SEPERATE & THERE IT IS THE BELT. MIKE

Kenmore Whispertone Model 26512690 PowerMate Brush motor does not run. The machine has no suction coming from the Power Mate Brush. However, I do have power in the main machine.

The cover over the light, push in on the sides to release the tabs, then remove 2 screws. Using a screw driver, put it in the slot, one on each side, from the bottom, pry up to release the tabs, cover will come off and you can get to the belt and brush roll.